Course Designers/Builders

James Atkinson led a panel including course designers Captain Mark Phillips, John Michael Durr, Gretchen Butts, Morgan Rowsell, and Cathy Wieschhoff in a discussion about the responsibilities of the course designer and the many factors that influence course design.

Many of us, when we walk courses, have a routine. Things we look for, things we know will catch certain riders off guard, things we’re careful to point out to our students. Even the way we walk, the practiced length of our strides, the lines we take between fences. We think about this stuff from the rider or trainer’s perspective, carefully honed over years of walking, thinking about, and riding courses. Time, and experience.

Last weekend, 25 prospective “r” judges, technical delegates, and course designers gathered at Lara Anderson and Daniel Brown’s Full Gallop Farm in Aiken, South Carolina for the B & C Jumping/Course Designing Training Program. This training program is a requirement for prospective “r” Eventing Judges, “r” Eventing TDs, and “r” Eventing CDs to obtain their licensure, as well as for certified cross-country course designers, who must attend every three years to maintain their certification.

The USEA Training Program for Eventing Officials (TPEO) is responsible for educating the next generation of officials and encouraging members of the eventing community to get involved as licensed officials, including judges, technical delegates, and course designers. The safe running of competitions relies on quality officials as they guarantee that all safety rules and precautions are adhered to.

Last year David Taylor of Keymar, Maryland realized he wanted to be more than just a competitive eventer. He wanted to give back to the sport but at the time he wasn’t sure how. It wasn't until he read an article on the United States Eventing Association (USEA) website about becoming a cross-country course designer that it finally clicked.

The USEA has established a Course Designers’ Educational Grant/Mentoring Program to fund the education and development of U.S. course designers. The program is open to those who have competed at the CCI2* level in recent years and who have completed the Course Design Module at a USEA Training Program for Eventing Officials Seminar. Funds of up to $6,000 will be awarded in 2017.

Longtime eventing competitor Beth Perkins, of Rutherfordton, N.C., decided last year to take steps to become a “r” licensed cross-country course designer. Perkins has competed through the four-star level, representing the United States at the 1974 World Championships and 1975 Pan American Games.

This summer, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) began using the mobile fundraising software MobileCause. Because a large portion of USEA members are constantly on the go, MobileCause allows the USEA to communicate instantly and directly with members through text message.

In December 2015, Virginia Horse Trials (VHT) announced the creation of the Course Designer Mentor Program intended to encourage the future development of the sport and provide a valuable educational opportunity for someone pursuing a career in cross-country course design.